+ Etymology and Vernacular names - Etymology The English word "asparagus" derives from classical Latin, but the plant was once known in English as sperage, from the Medieval Latinsparagus. This term itself derives from the Greek aspharagosor asparagos, and the Greek term originates from the Persianasparag, meaning "sprout" or "shoot". Asparagus was also corrupted in some places to "sparrow grass"; indeed, the Oxford English Dictionary quotes John Walker as having written in 1791 that "Sparrow-grass is so general that asparagushas an air of stiffness and pedantry". Asparagus officinalis is widely known simply as "asparagus", and may be confused with unrelated plant species also known as "asparagus", such as Ornithogalum pyrenaicum known as "Prussian asparagus" for its edible shoots. Other Names in English: Sperage, sparagus, aspharagos or asparagos, asparag, sparrow grass, aspar grass or asper grass, sparrow's guts, asperge, asparago aspargo… - Vernacular names The Sanskrit name of Asparagus is shatavari and it has been historically used in India as a part of Ayurvedic medicines. In East Asia, Asparagus officinalis is known as lùsǔn in Mandarin Chinese, louhséunin Cantonese, and lôsún in Hokkien/Taiwanese. In Thai it is known as nǭmai farang (หน่อไม้ฝรั่ง), and in Vietnamese as măng tây which literally mean "European bamboo shoots" and "Western bamboo shoots", respectively. The green asparagus is commonly used in Chinese-American cuisine and Thai cuisine. In Turkish, asparagus is known as "kuşkonmaz," literally "bird can't land," in reference to the shape of the plant.

2- Characteristics of the Species Asparagus officinalis - Asparagus

2.1- Description+ The plant:Asparagus is a herbaceous,perennial plantgrowing to 100-150 centimetres (39-59 in) tall, with stout stems with much-branched feathery foliage. Only young asparagus shoots are commonly eaten: once the buds start to open ("ferning out"), the shoots quickly turn woody.+ The roots:The root system is adventitious and the root type is fasciculated.+ The leaves:The "leaves" are in fact needle-like cladodes (modified stems) in the axils of scale leaves; they are 6-32 mm (0.24-1.26 in) long and 1 mm (0.039 in) broad, and clustered 4-15 together, in a rose-like shape.+ The flowers:The flowers are bell-shaped, greenish-white to yellowish, 4.5-6.5 mm (0.18-0.26 in) long, with six tepals partially fused together at the base; they are produced singly or in clusters of two or three in the junctions of the branchlets. It is usually dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants, but sometimes hermaphrodite flowers are found.+ The fruits:The fruit is a small red berry 6-10 mm diameter, which is poisonous to humans. + The seeds: -

Asparagus

Three types of asparagus

Green asparagus for sale in New York City

2.2- Origin and distribution+ Origin:Asparagus officinalisis
native to most of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia,and is widely cultivated as a
vegetable crop.+ Distribution: Asparagus is very popular in the Netherlands, Spain, France, Poland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland, and is almost exclusively white; if not, it is specified by the local language term for "green asparagus". White asparagus is the result of applying a blanching technique while the asparagus shoots are growing. Compared to green asparagus, the locally cultivated so-called "white gold" or "edible ivory" asparagus, also referred to as "the royal vegetable", is less bitter and much more tender. Freshness is very important, and the lower ends of white asparagus must be peeled before cooking or raw consumption.

Asparagus output in 2005

2.3- Nutritional value+ Introduction:Water makes up 93% of asparagus's composition. Asparagus is low in calories and is very low in sodium. It is a good source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc, and a very good source of dietary fibre, protein, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, rutin, niacin,folic acid, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese and selenium, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells. The amino acidasparagine gets its name from asparagus, as the asparagus plant is relatively rich in this compound.+ Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) of Asparagus, raw

2.4- Health Benefits of AsparagusAsparagus is an alkaline food which is rich in protein but low in calories and carbohydrates. It is an excellent source of potassium, folate, vitamins A, C and K, and traces of vitamin B complex. A good source of dietary fiber, asparagus is also rich in niacin, phosphorus and very low sodium. And certainly most impressive is that it is one of those few vegetables that actually has the calcium and magnesium in the ideal ratio of 2:1.Asparagus has an abundance of an amino acid called asparagine, that helps to cleanse the body of waste material. As a result, some people’s urine may have a foul odor after eating asparagus. Don’t worry if this happens to you. Just be glad that your kidneys are getting a good cleansing. Asparagus is one of the few vegetables that is dense in healthful nutrients that help many ailments. 1- Acidity, Blood: The high alkalinity of this wonder juice is effective in reducing the acidity of the blood and helps cleanses the tissues and muscles of waste. 2- Arthritis and Rheumatism: A unique phytochemical in asparagus that produces anti-inflammatory effect helps relieve arthritis and rheumatism. 3- Bowel movement: Consume asparagus regularly for its mild laxative effect and dietary fiber that provides for regular bowel movement. 4- Cancer: Asparagus is a prime source of anti-oxidant and glutathione that can help prevent the dreaded cancer. 5- Cataracts: The anti-oxidant and glutathione in asparagus prevents the progression of cataracts and other eye problems. 6- Diabetes/Hypoglycemia: The healthful minerals in asparagus juice make it an important diet for people who are controlling their blood sugar levels. However, it is not to be taken by people with advanced kidney diseases. 7- Diuretic: Asparagus is a wonderfully diuretic vegetable and its efficacy is more pronounced when it is taken in juice form. 8- Heart disease: Drink a small amount of asparagus juice mixed with raw honey three times a day daily to strengthen a weak or enlarged heart. 9- Kidney: The diuretic and alkaline properties of asparagus help prevent or dissolve kidney stones. It helps break up oxalic acid crystals formed in the kidney. 10- PMS symptoms: The diuretic effect of asparagus juice helps relieve premenstrual swelling and bloating. The magnesium in this wonder juice also help relieve irritability, fatigue, depression, etc. 11- Pregnant women: The high content of folate, calcium and other minerals in asparagus are important in reducing the risk of birth defects and low birth weight. The diuretic effect of the juice is also a big help in reducing water retention in pregnant women. Source: Health benefits of asparagushttp://juicing-for-health.com/basic-nutrition/.../health-benefits-of-asparagus.html.

3.2- Medicinal Uses Asparagus officinalis has a long history of use as a medicinal plant. Dioscorides, a first century Greek physician, recommended extracts of asparagus root for treatment of urinary and kidney problems, jaundice and sciatica. Asparagus officinalis was later mentioned in Gerard’s Herbal and was thought to ‘cleanse without manifest heat and dryness’ and ‘increase seed and stir up lust’. Today, it is known to be a strong diuretic and is used in the treatment of urinary problems such as cystitis. It is also useful in the treatment of rheumatic conditions, is a mild laxative and sedative, and is considered useful in the treatment of a range of maladies from arthrosis to tuberculosis. Asparagus is also a rich source of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that is known to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and maintain the health of the liver.

4- Growing Asparagus on the World (2012)

China is the world's largest producer: in 2012 (7,350,000 tonnes), at a large distance followed byPeru(376,645 tonnes), andMexico(119,789 tonnes).U.S. production was concentrated inCalifornia,MichiganandWashington.The annual production for white asparagus in Germany is 57,000 tonnes (61% of consumer demand). The top asparagus importers (2011) were the United States (174,609 tonnes), followed by theEuropean Union (external trade) (94,292 tonnes), and Canada (23,265 tonnes). Planting Asparagus on the World 2012 (Depending on FAOSTAT)

Production (tonnes)7,353,200376,645249,929119,78965,00034,52030,00019,50012,00011,0008,301,4823,7465532,720473561,13440,759119,914400,4617,471,8727,383,20019,50069,10666251,13014,7446,14685,809144,43113,60013,600